It''s the long, hot summer between high school and college, and Jaime Cody is working a double shift.

Days at a greasy spoon called Franklin''s All-American Diner; night at the Phoenix, a restaurant at a glitzy resort. She''s hoping to earn the college money her father stole from her -- and leave herself no time to think.

A whole country lies between where Jaime is -- Arizona -- and where she wants to be -- Bryn Mawr, a college for women in Pennsylvania. The jobs mean the difference between making a life for herself and being duped by a man, the way her mother was.

The plan is perfect -- until a boy named Buddy appears, reminding her of a character in the romantic stories her mother still loves to tell.

No one has to know about Buddy.

He''s Jaime''s secret.

Just for the summer.

From the Hardcover edition.